Weather expected to clear

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South Canterbury's skies should clear in the next few days, MetService forecaster Dan Corbett says.

Rain, thunder and strong winds interrupted people's plans last weekend, and there had been reports of snow in the ranges.

"We've had a nasty low-pressure system grazing the east coast of the South Island," Mr Corbett said. "This should die down over the next day or so, bringing clearer skies, but not necessarily warmer temperatures," he said.

However, Mr Corbett said a low-pressure system would pin-wheel down the South Island late on Friday. "We're likely to see a southwesterly change as a result. The worst of the rain could be on the Sunday. I wouldn't be waving in summer just yet," he said.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) seasonal forecast shows the region's November to January temperatures are likely to be in the near-average range, with near-normal seasonal rainfall totals, soil moisture levels, and river flows likely.

Niwa climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said Timaru's temperature so far for the month was about 2.5 degrees below average.

"When you compile the seasonal outlook, you're looking at long-term patterns," she said.